Black Health-Matters

As part of Black History Month, Black Health-Matters is an event dedicated to raising awareness of critical health issues affecting the Black community and celebrating Black heritage and cultural expression.

This vibrant and informative event will feature:

🔬 Research Highlights

• Dr Martin Besser consultant haematologist, Addenbrookes Hospital – Sickle Cell Disease
• Dr Raju Sapkota & Dr Hugo Onumajuru – Diabetes and diabetes eye health in the Black community
• Dr Andrea Charles-Fidelis – Racial trauma

🎤 Lived Experience Speakers

• Tony Kelly, multi award-winning Diabetes ambassador – Living with diabetes
• Elaine Tappin, Sickle cell Disorder advocate – Personal journey with Sickle Cell Disease, screening of SICKLE a docufilm by the Red Cell Network and panel discussion
• Dr Andrea Charles-Fidelis – Navigating racial trauma

🧘🏾‍♀️ Interactive Health & Wellbeing Activities

• Thrive Sessions with Jo Hall (PERMAH model) – 3 x 20-minute sessions
• Restorative Yoga with Andrea Charles-Fidelis – 3 x 20-minute sessions

🎬 Film Screening & Cultural Showcase

• Screening of The Noise My Leaves Make by Dr Tia-Monique Uzor. Nominated for two short-film awards. Followed by a panel discussion
• Immerse yourself in the primal power of African drumming with Sister Khalilah Ismaiel
• Art exhibition celebrating Black cultural expression

🍽️🤝🏽 Lunch & Networking

Connect with fellow attendees over a shared meal

Event presented by:

• ARU Race and Ethnic Equality staff network (REEN)
• ARU Health and Care Research Centre (HCRC)
• ARU Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team
• ARU Public Engagement Team

Please contact community@aru.ac.uk if you have accessibility requirements we should be aware of ahead of the event.

[LS 17.09.25]